Reusable glass tips are easy to clean when you do it regularly.
The key is simple: clean the glass before buildup has time to dry and harden. A quick rinse routine takes less than a few minutes and helps keep the internal airflow structure clear, the surface clean, and the piece ready for the next use.
At 78 Glass, each handmade borosilicate glass filter comes in a protective clear storage tube. The same tube can also be useful for a quick cleaning shake, as long as you rinse and dry everything properly afterward.
This guide explains the basic cleaning method, what to do with heavier buildup, and what to avoid.
What You Need
For a simple clean, you only need:
- cleaning alcohol, ideally 80% or higher
- water for rinsing
- the included storage tube or a small container
- a clean place to let the glass dry
Isopropyl alcohol works well and is commonly used for cleaning glass. Other suitable high-strength cleaning alcohols can also work. Lower concentrations may still clean the glass, but the process can take longer.
Always follow the instructions on the alcohol label. Keep it away from heat, sparks, and children. Do not ingest cleaning alcohol.
The Quick Cleaning Method
The easiest time to clean a glass tip is soon after use, before the buildup dries.
Here is the basic method:
- Place the glass tip inside the storage tube or a small container.
- Add enough cleaning alcohol to cover more than half of the piece.
- Close the tube or container securely.
- Shake gently for 1–5 minutes.
- Pour out the alcohol.
- Rinse the glass tip with water.
- Rinse the tube as well.
- Let both the glass tip and the tube dry completely before closing and storing.
If the piece is cleaned soon after use, the process is often very fast. In many cases, less than one minute of shaking is enough. You will usually see the buildup separate from the glass and move into the alcohol.
Why You Should Rinse After Alcohol
Alcohol helps dissolve sticky buildup, but it can also hold that residue inside the liquid.
If you let the alcohol dry on the glass, it may leave an unpleasant film behind. That is why rinsing with water is important.
After shaking with alcohol, rinse the glass tip and the storage tube with water. Water helps remove the dissolved residue and leaves the surface cleaner after drying.
Do not skip this step.
For Heavier Buildup
If the buildup is old, dry, or more difficult to remove, do not waste your energy shaking for too long.
Instead, soak the piece.
Place the glass tip in a small container, cover it fully with cleaning alcohol, and leave it for several hours. For very dry buildup, leaving it overnight can make cleaning much easier.
After soaking, shake the container gently, rinse the glass with water, and let it dry completely.
Warm Water Tip
For stubborn buildup, warming the glass first can help.
Run the glass tip under warm or hot water before placing it into alcohol. Heat can soften sticky residue, making it easier for the alcohol to work.
Be careful with hot water and avoid burning your hands. You do not need to boil the glass, and you do not need to heat it with a torch. Warm or hot water is enough for this cleaning step.
Do You Need Salt or Abrasives?
No.
Salt and other abrasives are not necessary for our glass tips. The internal openings are small, so abrasion does not help much inside the piece. Alcohol and shaking are usually enough.
Avoid rough abrasives, sand, metal tools, files, or anything that can scratch the glass. Borosilicate glass is strong, but the surface can still be damaged by hard abrasive materials.
Think of it like a phone screen: durable, but not something you want to scrape with rough material.
Let It Dry Completely
Use the glass tip only when it is fully dry.
If moisture or alcohol remains inside, the experience can feel different, and buildup may form faster. After rinsing, place the glass tip somewhere clean and let it dry fully before using it again or storing it in the tube.
The same applies to the storage tube. Rinse it after cleaning, then let it dry before closing it.
Using the Storage Tube
Each 78 Glass filter comes with a protective clear storage tube.
The tube is useful for transport, storage, and quick cleaning. After use, you can place the glass tip inside the tube, add cleaning alcohol, close it, and shake gently.
For quick cleaning, this works well. For longer soaking, you may prefer to use a small glass jar or another stable container.
Do not leave a wet or dirty piece closed inside the tube for long periods. Clean it, rinse it, dry it, and then store it.
What to Avoid
Do not use rough abrasives.
Do not scrape the glass with metal tools.
Do not heat the glass with a torch for cleaning.
Do not leave alcohol residue to dry on the glass.
Do not store the glass wet inside a closed tube.
Do not rely on the storage tube as a long-term container for dirty liquid.
Do not drop the glass on hard floors. Borosilicate glass is durable and can survive small knocks, but tile, stone, and concrete can still break it.
Quick Cleaning Routine
For regular care:
- Clean soon after use.
- Add cleaning alcohol.
- Shake for 1–5 minutes.
- Rinse the glass.
- Rinse the tube.
- Let everything dry completely.
For heavier buildup:
- Warm the glass with hot water.
- Soak fully in cleaning alcohol for several hours or overnight.
- Shake gently.
- Rinse with water.
- Let it dry completely.
Final Recommendation
Clean your reusable glass tip regularly instead of waiting for heavy buildup.
A quick one-minute shake after use is much easier than trying to clean a fully dried piece later. Alcohol, water, and proper drying are enough for most situations.
Keep it simple: shake, rinse, dry, store.